K.C. Johnson also reports that the Bulls are trying to get the Sixers to take on Nikola Mirotic in a trade.

“Nikola Mirotic, who has been available for weeks, continues to be offered to teams such as the Clippers and 76ers, sources said. The 76ers have been shopping Whitney Young product and 2015 No. 3 overall pick Jahlil Okafor for weeks but haven’t shown much interest in Mirotic.”

According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, the 76ers have inquired about All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler. The Bulls, the report says, have little interest in trading him.

“If the Celtics plan to make a major push for either Butler or Pacers star Paul George, they will do so on deadline day. The Bulls have told teams that have inquired about Butler — including, according to a source, the 76ers — that they have no plans to trade him.

Of course, one blockbuster offer could change that stance. And the Celtics are loaded with assets. Most league observers expect the teams to at least have dialogue Thursday after engaging in serious talks centered on Butler last June.”

According to Alex Kennedy, rival general managers believe the Sixers are just weighing different trade offers and will execute a deal soon. He also lists the Kings as a team interested in Okafor.

“The Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings are among the teams that have been linked to Okafor, according to sources. The belief among executives is that Philadelphia is just weighing the different trade offers at this point and will execute a deal soon.”

Sam Amick is reporting that the Lakers are trying to trade for Paul George.

(This is included because of the ramifications it would have on the draft pick the Lakers owe the Sixers.

“George will be a free agent in the summer of 2018, and it’s no secret that the 26-year-old Palmdale, Calif. native would love nothing more than to sign with his hometown Lakers if the future is bleak in Indiana. The fact that the Lakers are in the process of trying to land George right now, with new lead executive Magic Johnson moving fast to fill that superstar hole that Kobe Bryant left behind, only makes these next two days all the more compelling.”

The Pacers are working the trade deadline on parallel fronts: Pursuing deals that will bring talent into Indiana to sell George on signing a long-term extension – and soliciting deal offers on George that would signal a rebuild around center Myles Turner, league sources told The Vertical.”

On the same trade deadline video, Adrian Wojnarowski said the Pistons could explore trades for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who would become an unrestricted free agent this summer. (Transcription provided by Piston Powered).

(Note: there have been no rumors linking the Sixers to Caldwell-Pope, just speculation that he is somebody they should pursue).

“I do know that Detroit has been open out there to see what might be available for Pope–not because they don’t like him, but because they want to see if there is another pretty good young shooting guard or a guy (up-and-coming) that they could get that would be available to them. They might prefer that over paying Pope such a big number this summer.”

The Lakers have hired Magic Johnson (president of basketball operations) and Rob Pelinka (general manager) to run their basketball operations department, effective immediately. I’m leaving this here because of how it impacts the draft pick which the Lakers owe the Sixers. I talk about it in-depth here.

Lakers trade Lou WilliamsFebruary 21st

The Lakers traded Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets for Corey Brewer and a 1st round pick. This is included because of how it impacts the draft pick the Lakers owe the Sixers. I wrote about that impact in-depth here.

Shelburne: Pacers interested in Jahlil OkaforFebruary 21st, 11:51 am

Ramon Shelburne (along with Jeff Goodman and Chris Haynes) report that the Indiana Pacers are interested in Jahlil Okafor.

“Indiana seems to be one of the more active teams right now as they try to get Paul George some help. One name Jeff Goodman, Chris Haynes and I have all heard they’re pursuing: Jahlil Okafor.”

Marc Stein went on ESPN Radio to talk about the trade deadline, and said the Boston Celtics are still interested in Jahlil Okafor. (transcription from Jake Pavorsky of LibertyBallers)

I’ve heard that Boston has still give that some consideration. Chicago is another team that’s said to have shown some Okafor interest. You can rest assured Philly’s gonna spend the next three-plus days trying to find a trade home for Jahlil Okafor. Once the prospect of a trade has gone that far, it’s hard to pretend that didn’t happen, but at this point as we stand Philadelphia doesn’t have an Okafor deal and obviously another team that looked at him seriously — New Orleans — that’s not an option.

DeMarcus Cousins was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, essentially for Buddy Hield and a pick. This is included because of how it impacts the 2019 draft pick (and the 2017 swap rights) the Kings owe the Sixers.

Sixers in talks with New Orleans about Jahlil OkaforFebruary 6th, 2017 4:56 pm

Multiple outlets report that the Sixers are in negotiations with the New Orleans Pelicans over a deal revolving around Jahlil Okafor. From Sam Amick of USA Today:

According to two people with knowledge of the situation, the Pelicans are in serious trade talks with the Philadelphia 76ers to acquire second-year big man Jahlil Okafor. The Sixers, who are known to have engaged with eight teams regarding Okafor, are pushing for the Pelicans’ first-round pick in the deal.